The board was organized in response to the Jan. 25 melee between police officers and the mostly minority community patrons at Kokopellis, a bar at 124 Fourth St.

The board is a subcommittee of the Citizens United for Justice in Troy, NY. It will help residents "file their complaints of excessive force, violence, racism, discrimination and witness intimidation used by the Troy PD," according to a statement released by two organizers, Jessica Ashley and the Rev. Tim Sherman.

Ashley said the 20 complaints reflect various incidents.

The board plans to forward its findings to the U.S. Department of Justice if it feels there is a pattern of hostile behavior by city police in dealing with individuals, Ashley said.

Last week, the City Council voted 6-3 to ask the Rensselaer County District Attorney's Office to investigate events surrounding the Kokopellis incident. Police Chief John Tedesco has recommended an external review to ensure residents that the investigation is thorough and complete.

Videos from the Kokopellis melee allegedly show a police officer striking a man several times with a baton.

Eight people were charged as a result of fights at Kokopellis, and eight police officers were injured; six were treated at Samaritan Hospital, police said.